mineral

Rough Quartz (with potential Host Rock)

Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Ranges from colorless to white/opaque (milky); Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy; Crystal Structure: Hexagonal (trigonal); Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific Gravity: 2.65.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale
Color: Ranges from colorless to white/opaque (milky)
Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to greasy

Identified March 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the cooling of silica-rich magma or through hydrothermal activity in veins where mineral-rich hot water deposits crystals in rock fractures. Quartz is found in almost all geological environments and across all geological ages, from Precambrian to modern times.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in glassmaking, electronics (piezoelectric properties), abrasives, and as a gemstone (amethyst, citrine, etc.). In common rough form, it is used for gravel, construction aggregate, and as a foundational collector specimen.

Geological facts

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust. It is highly resistant to both chemical and physical weathering, which is why it often remains as grains of sand after other minerals have eroded away.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its inability to be scratched by a steel knife (hardness 7) and its glassy luster on fresh surfaces. It is commonly found in mountain ranges, stream beds, and desert environments worldwide. Look for its translucent appearance and lack of distinct cleavage planes.

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Arenite (SiO2 based)

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Metamorphic Rock

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